Let’s roll up our sleeves and transform these humble ingredients into something extraordinary. Follow these steps, and you’ll have a batch of taquitos ready in no time.

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This will prevent the taquitos from sticking and make cleanup a breeze.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cumin, cheese, salt, and pepper. Toss everything together until the chicken is well-coated with spices and cheese.
3. Lay out your tortillas, and place about 2 tablespoons of the chicken mixture onto each tortilla, spreading it evenly across the center.
4. Roll each tortilla tightly into a cylinder, and place them seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet.
5. Brush the tops of the taquitos with vegetable oil to ensure they turn golden and crispy in the oven.
6. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the taquitos are crispy and the cheese is melted. Keep an eye on them around the 15-minute mark to prevent burning.
7. Once baked, let them cool for a few minutes before serving. This will help them set and make them easier to handle—plus, you won’t burn your fingers!